Innovate In and With China

Just as China optimized the manufacturing process to set the low-cost standard for Western businesses to compete with, the country is now creating a competitive climate for innovation. Fertilizing the market for growth, China is poised to be the new proving ground for advanced research and development. 750 multinational R&D centers are already there. And we are too.

Grasping the new innovation culture

Chinese scientific patenting is outpacing the rest of the world and other sectors aren’t far behind. China has already realized the importance of fostering a national “innovation culture” that’s international in scope. For perspective: The country is home to the largest and fastest mobile telephony market, generating 60 million new subscribers per year. And it’s taking advantage of the foreign R&D surge: The pharmaceutical market is growing 10% each year while ascending the global value chain. At the same time Chinese mega-market technology players are positioning themselves as premium brands with low cost-structures.

Eyes and ears on the ground

So how do multinational companies both meet and embrace these challenges?

At frog we believe companies can harness China’s rapidly growing innovation capabilities by building a deep understanding of the country’s society, demographics, business, and consumer culture. Which is why we’ve set up a multi-disciplinary, international team to lead a studio in Shanghai. Here, we tap emerging trends to find deep insights, local innovation potential, and consumer behavior in both first-and second-tier Chinese cities.

In Shanghai - and throughout Asia - we’re working with clients to discover new market and growth opportunities. We’re facilitating the exchange of research and intellectual property. We’re helping to drive the design, branding, and production capabilities our clients need. In short, we are a client’s eyes and ears (and hands) on the ground, providing everything from innovation workshops and trend reports to consumer and market research and user experience programs.

If you’d like to learn more about innovation in and with China, please contact us at business@frogdesign.com, submit an inquiry or contact our Shanghai Studio directly.